Conferences: The University of Minnesota, Duluth, has officially accepted an invitation to become a member of the North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs will begin competitive play in the NCC beginning with the 2004-05 season. Minnesota-Duluth is the first institution the NCC has admitted for membership since St. Cloud State University joined the conference in 1981. "Joining the NCC is a great opportunity for UMD to align with schools that share our own high standards of academics and athletics," said Minnesota-Duluth Chancellor Kathryn Martin. "The NCC represents the most successful Division II schools in the country, and this truly is an appropriate fit for UMD." Minnesota-Duluth has been a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference since 1976-77.

Facilities: Pace University opened its new Ann & Alfred Goldstein Health, Fitness and Recreation Center September 5. The facility boasts a 2,400-seat arena, an eight-lane swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness/weight room, aerobics room, walking/jogging track, training facility, concession stand, VIP room, equipment room, locker rooms, scoreboards and message center, athletics department offices and university health-care unit offices. The $17 million Goldstein Center will be home to the Pace women's volleyball and men's and women's basketball teams. A formal grand opening ceremony took place October 27, which also marked the opening of the center's swimming pool.

Miscellaneous: The New York Collegiate Athletic Conference has introduced a new logo that incorporates a bold design with the image of the Statue of Liberty in the NYCAC name. "The new logo better defines the conference's expanding presence in the New York, Connecticut and Philadelphia areas," NYCAC Commissioner Carmine Calzonetti said. "As the NYCAC grows beyond the boundaries of New York State, we wanted our logo to reflect the diversity of the institutions in our conference without losing the name of the conference. The Statue of Liberty stands as a symbol of New York, but also makes room for the conference's future growth." The NYCAC includes 13 member institutions and conducts championships in 13 sports.

Milestones: Bill Elliott, in his eighth year of coaching the University of West Florida men's soccer team, racked up his 100th win with a 2-0 victory over Christian Brothers University. Before West Florida, Elliott coached two years at Tennessee Wesleyan College. After the victory, Elliott's record stood at 100-66-12.

-- Compiled by David Pickle